At the same time, Democratic leaders and many in the rank and file are urging self-restraint, knowing that voters could strip their supermajority powers in the next election if their reach is overly ambitious — particularly when it comes to taxes and spending.

“There will be tension,” said Sen. Marty Block, D-San Diego. “Some members want to win the Super Bowl right away and immediately repair the damage that’s been done (by budget cuts). Most members realize we need to be careful — we can’t spend money we don’t have.”

Gov. Jerry Brown is set to unveil his proposed 2013-14 spending plan on Thursday.

“It’s going to be an exciting year, but it has to be a year that we keep one foot on the brake and other foot modestly on the accelerator,” Brown told The Associated Press.

Republicans worry that they may be relegated to the sidelines if Democrats stay united.

“We want to keep taxpayer protections in place. We take our role as watchdog very seriously,” said new Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido.

The budget outlook is said to be the most encouraging in some time, with the deficit projected at less than $2 billion out of an anticipated general fund of nearly $98 billion through June 2014, according to Mac Taylor, the independent legislative analyst.

In contrast, the most recent shortfalls were projected at $15.7 billion this fiscal year and $26.6 billion in 2011-12. Moreover, the 2014-15 budget should bump into the positive side of the ledger for the first time since 2001, he said.

Democrats could have an easier time moving a simple-majority budget and major policy bills to the governor’s desk. They are expected to control a two-thirds vote in both houses after a series of vacancies are filled before summer. That would also unbridle Brown and Democrats from needing to secure some Republican support for ballot measures and tax increases if they vote as a bloc.

Changes ahead for K-12?

As part of the budget proposal, Brown is expected to dust off his 2012 push to rework key elements of education funding law so that local districts have more control over spending decisions and also provide schools with large concentrations of low-income students with extra aid.

“His goal is simple. He wants a finance system that is easy to understand, fair and flexible,” said Kevin Gordon, a lobbyist for Capitol Advisors Groups, which represents the San Diego County Office of Education.

But districts resisted last year for a number of reasons, mostly budget-related.